"Some people would say sending a grade five racehorse against that bunch in the Golden Slipper Stakes is crazy," Reese stated as she put the finishing touches on Bella Luna's glowing body. The sleek gray mare was a glorious sight to behold these days. She was in form, on top of her game and slick as a fish on the track. Just when the competition thought they had her she moved just out of their grasp for another resounding win. "That is true, but I'd say that they don't know Vagabond as well as I do." Maggie and Reese both looked up at Ripley as she stepped out of the office. You could barely tell she was pregnant, her tough exercise program was keeping all of the baby fat off so she could ride in two more months at the Breeders' Cup. "Maggie knows him too. He'll pull a surprise on them one of these days. He's come too close not to be in the top echelon, despite being only "grade five"." Maggie glanced over at the subject of conversation. Vagabond was a powerhouse just at a glance. He possessed a massive chest and shoulder, a glorious butt and the cleanest legs. He was a rarely bred Thoroughbred being a son of Winged Heir and Rebellious Girl. He had the look of a champion in his posture and demeanor. The look of eagles beamed out at her when he twisted his head, dark eyes glinting intensely. Bond would be the Turf Triple Crown hopeful come Year Fifteen and Maggie knew without a doubt he was as dangerous as the top turf two year old in the country. "Got to be a tough workout today to prep him for next week. He's got a tough job, but I have faith in him. He's been a rock solid horse and if anyone is likely to improve with age, it's him. "Mile and a quarter gallop, three furlong workout." The riders mounted up and rode out of the barn into the chilly winter. The first snow had touched the rolling hills last night, turning the place into a fairy tale. Reese wanted to squeal with excitement. She was still so unused to winter even after two years of being here. While everyone moaned and groaned well into January, Reese thrilled over it. South America was not a place where snow fell ever. "Soon, we'll have to move to the indoor track," Ripley muttered. The other women barely heard the remark, but exchanged glances. Ripley had ridden her final workout over the rolling hills a couple weeks ago. She was going to be edgy after December with restrictions on riding to the retired broods and geldings. Not to mention Brooks babying her... Bella Luna jogged onto the track full of energy and life. The dappled gray mare was a sweet heart, the sweetest in the entire roster. It just so happened that she could run the pants off of most everyone else. The Sea Struck mare tucked her chin to her chest, fog billowing out of her nostrils and billowing out behind her. She moved like the Queen she was and boy,did she look the part. The dirt track was a little tougher on her than the turf and it would prime her for her next race in the Cox Plate. She didn't like the dirt, but she trained over it well enough. Vagabond would actually move up slightly and Reese was almost positive the gray mare would have her hooves full. Bond looked like a million dollars as he stretched into his powerful gallop. He had the largest stride Maggie had ever seen, greater than even Para's ground-eating strides. He moved effortlessly and with command and sure made her feel like a million dollar rider. Bond cruised alongside Bella Luna as though he were her mirror image. Maggie kept her hands at the colt's withers, blue eyes focused ahead. This colt gave her a ton of confidence, but now was not the time to be cocky. Bella Luna bounded into the backstretch, ears pinned to her neck from the effort it took to fight the cuppy track. She hated it immensely, hated the colt running alongside her because he was moving like it was turf. Reese could feel the frustration building within the gray mare and knew this was what she needed. Easy wins created an unambitious mount. They began to assume every race would be as easy as the last. The pair of horses marched through the remaining half-mile, picking up the pace back into the first turn. Bond's ears dipped back when Maggie nudged him for more pace. He responded with a simple lengthening of his strides, nosing out Bella Luna for the lead. The silver gray mare battled back on the inside, battling the ground, but proving how much of a champion she was. She was a determined son of a gun and she would not lose to this upstarting two year old. The bay colt lead the way through the middle of the backstretch, a king in his castle. Bond was so in the bridle that Maggie was almost tempted to just let him run by Bella Luna. He was so full of himself, so full of energy. Oh, how it was tempting... Ripley liked the way Bond was moving over the dirt course, really liked how cool and calculated he was as a two year old. The colt assumed command on the far turn with relative ease and looked as though he would blow Bella Luna out of the water. Bella had her excuse, but Ripley was liking how hard the mare was trying on a surface not her own. The silver mare finally caught hold on the rail and surged up to battle with Vagabond. Together the two horses charged down the stretch, eyeballing one another as if they had faced each other many other times before this. The riders were quiet as they marched through the wire and back into the first turn. It was an impressive workout by Vagabond as he drew off in the gallop out. Bella Luna pulled up, clearly showing her disgust with the dirt track. Ripley knew one horse who would be more than happy to kill it in her next race.
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WorkoutsPlease realize that I do add in workouts before they are necessarily due. If you are looking for a specific horse because you are judging a race, click on his/her name below and his/her latest workout will appear at the top or your screen. Categories
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